Appalachian State University Music Therapy

Kudos to Dean Quick, BM '09, and advanced trainee in the Bonny Method of GIM whose work is credited here.

A dose of music can heal the soul. ❤️‍ For Matt Holley, beating cancer was about more than the physical fight. It was about healing his body, mind and spirit. That’s why he turned to the music therapy program offered by Atrium Health’s Supportive Oncology Department. There’s one therapy method he says has changed his life: the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, or GIM. “It’s a music-centered, consciousness-expanding, and transformational therapy which uses classical music as a catalyst for exploring a patient’s internal imagery, somatic experiencing, and spirituality,” says Dean Quick, music therapist at Atrium Health Levine Cancer. “I was sitting in a chair receiving chemo for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. My physical ability and energy just weren’t there, but working with Dean I was able to connect more mentally and spiritually with myself and really explore and get to know myself in ways that helped me survive cancer and cope post-cancer as well,” says Holley. “It’s a very important part of my life.” Thank you, Matt, for trusting Atrium Health with your care! To learn more about our supportive oncology programs: https://bit.ly/3VQieHS

Music therapist Dean Quick, BM '09, and advanced GIM trainee.

A dose of music can heal the soul. ❤️‍ For Matt Holley, beating cancer was about more than the physical fight. It was about healing his body, mind and spirit. That’s why he turned to the music therapy program offered by Atrium Health’s Supportive Oncology Department. There’s one therapy method he says has changed his life: the Bonny Method of Guided Imagery and Music, or GIM. “It’s a music-centered, consciousness-expanding, and transformational therapy which uses classical music as a catalyst for exploring a patient’s internal imagery, somatic experiencing, and spirituality,” says Dean Quick, music therapist at Atrium Health Levine Cancer. “I was sitting in a chair receiving chemo for 6 hours a day, 5 days a week. My physical ability and energy just weren’t there, but working with Dean I was able to connect more mentally and spiritually with myself and really explore and get to know myself in ways that helped me survive cancer and cope post-cancer as well,” says Holley. “It’s a very important part of my life.” Thank you, Matt, for trusting Atrium Health with your care! To learn more about our supportive oncology programs: https://bit.ly/3VQieHS

Music Therapy and Music-Based Interventions in Neurology Synthesizes the current knowledge about how music therapy and other music-based approaches can help patients with neurological diseases

New book out on Music Therapy in Neurology.

Music Therapy and Music-Based Interventions in Neurology Synthesizes the current knowledge about how music therapy and other music-based approaches can help patients with neurological diseases

We welcome Dr. Laura Brown to her new role in the music therapy program at Appalachian State University!

The Hayes School of Music congratulates Dr. Laura Brown, now Associate Professor of Music Therapy and Program Director for the Bachelor of Music in Music Therapy!

Dr. Laura Brown, a music therapist since 2003, is an active teacher, researcher, and clinician. Her clinical experiences include working with children and adults with disabilities in both private practice and public school settings. Dr. Brown holds a Bachelor of Music Therapy degree and a Master of Music Therapy degree from Appalachian State University and a PhD in Music and Human Learning from the Butler School of Music at The University of Texas at Austin. She has served on the faculty at Ohio University and Western Illinois University. Dr. Brown was the recipient of the Ohio University School of Music Outstanding Teaching Award in 2018 and the Hayes School of Music Excellence in Teaching Award for contingent faculty in 2022.

An avid researcher, Dr. Brown’s primary research interests include music therapy with children with autism and inclusive music practices in school settings. She has presented her research and conducted clinics at regional, national, and international music education and music therapy conferences, and her published research appears in the Journal of Music Therapy, Music Therapy Perspectives, Update: Applications of Research in Music Education, Music Educators Journal, and General Music Today. As an active member of the American Music Therapy Association, Dr. Brown serves on the Academic Program Approval Committee and the editorial board of Music Therapy Perspectives.

Read more about new Hayes School of Music faculty and staff at https://music.appstate.edu/faculty-staff/new-faculty-and-staff.

Wishing you happy and refreshing holidays and new year.

Happy holidays! We hope everyone has a wonderful rest of the year.

Congratulations to Anna Laura McAfee, MMT, MT-BC, a 2021 graduate of the Master of Music Therapy degree program at Appalachian State University. We are proud of you, Anna Laura!

Today’s spotlight is Anna Laura, who is one of our lovely Music Therapists. Anna Laura serves at Williamson County Schools, including Paige High School, Ravenwood High School, Woodland Middle School, Creekside Elementary School, and Jordan Elementary School.

Here is what one of her colleagues has to say about her: “Anna Laura cares deeply about all of her students and is constantly working on new and creative ways to help them grow and feel valued! Anna Laura exemplifies finding joy in the hustle - she is reliable, hard-working, and is always collaborating with school team members and PPT providers to provide the highest quality music therapy services.”

Your Project Play family adores you, Anna Laura! 🤍

Welcome to the new harp instructor for the Hayes School of Music!

Congratulations to Amber Joy Koeppen, the new Instructor of Harp at the Hayes School of Music!

Amber Joy Koeppen (Carpenter) is a harpist and vocalist and an avid teacher in both disciplines. She has received degrees in Harp Performance and Vocal Pedagogy from UNC Charlotte and a MM from the University of Michigan. As a solo performer, she has been a prize winner in a number of national and international harp competitions.

Read more about Amber Joy Koeppen and other new Hayes School of Music faculty here:
https://music.appstate.edu/faculty-staff/new-faculty-and-staff

Congratulations to Brooke Vaught Wagner, MT-BC (BM ‘01) for this recognition by her employer, St. Vincent Healthcare in Billings, MT!